THE Celtic boss fielded six teenagers but watched as the youngsters pushed Roberto Mancini's men all the way before James Forrest missed the crucial spot-kick in the penalty shootout.

James Forrest watches on as his penalty is saved by Eray Iscan (Photo: SNS)

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CELTIC’S kids got out to play in Antalya last night to savour a very special Gala Day.

Minus an entire first team, Neil Lennon sent out six teenagers and various fringe men into battle against the Turkish champions.

They did him and themselves proud. Lennon’s lads stood up in football terms.

They stood up when the Turks got naughty and Derk Boerrigter took a slap. And they leave Turkey this morning walking tall with reputations heightened.

Including young Calvin Miller three days after his 16th birthday, Celtic held Roberto Mancini’s own fringe men at bay for 45 minutes before also keeping the Italian’s first-team stars at arm’s length after the break.

In the end, Celtic didn’t win the Antalya Cup. Not that it worth winning given that it was in a million bits at one point after Galatasaray keeper Eray Iscan rattled a warm-up kick off it and the glass trophy went from sitting proudly on a plinth to being splattered on to the deck.

But the kids must surely have won the trust of their manager, even if they lost on penalties to ensure the Turkish fans got the winners they wanted after skipper James Forrest was the only failure in the shoot-out.

A heartbreaking end but it was a night to remember for the kids, who had to deal with an atmosphere which contrasted starkly from the game the first team played on Thursday.

The young Celtic team watch the penalty shoot-out (Photo: SNS)

Against Trabzonspor there were barely 100 people inside the stadium.

Wherever Galatasaray go the fans follow, so this time it was like a Champions League game in the near sold-out stadium.

There were cops on horseback outside the ground and half an hour before kick-off, another line of police walked in wearing helmets and carrying riot shields.

Given that backdrop there wasn’t much hope of their team taking things easy, friendly or not. And with Lennon having excused his first-choice players to give them a well-earned rest, this was going to be a real test for some of his kids.

Teemu Pukki and Amido Balde were in attack with Boerrigter and Forrest on the flanks. Keeper Lukasz Zaluska and midfielder Nir Biton also had some experience but this was a new and intimidating adventure for the rest.

Biton had Liam Henderson by his side in the engine room, while it was a baby back four.

Left-back Darnell Fisher had played some games but this was going to be some experience for John Herron, Marcus Fraser and Eoghan O’Connell.

The flares set off by the home fans shroud James Forrest in smoke during the game (Photo: SNS)

In fairness to the kids, they gave a great account of themselves.

Pukki had shown against Trabzonspor he could finish with his thunderous opener and he almost repeated the trick early on here, only with more finesse.

Stepping on to a flick from Balde, the Finn curled home sweetly, only to see his Portuguese partner narrowly flagged offside by an assistant.

For the next half hour the youngsters started getting their severe examination. Zaluska had to make a couple of superb saves from Aydin Yilmaz and Izet Hajrovic but, in general, the kids stood firm.

Herron held firm at right-back, Fisher survived on the left and O’Connell and Fraser snapped into tackles and kept it simple.

It was impressive defiance that scunnered Galatasaray enough that they fizzled out and opened the door for the Hoops to try and grab an interval lead.

Galatasaray celebrate their win (Photo: SNS)

That they didn’t will forever remain a mystery. While the Turkish fans got bored with their own team and started lighting flares and flashing their phones to give them an interest, Celtic started to run amok.

Even the Turkish media turned away as Lennon’s men took control, with one writer watching the snooker from the UK on his laptop.

Balde was decked as he ran for goal, only for Boerrigter to float the free-kick over the bar.

The Dutchman’s next act, having suddenly burst to life after a quiet start, was to fire a cracking cross along the six-yard line which Pukki just couldn’t reach.

Pukki was then denied in a one on one by Gala keeper Iscan having been sent clear by Biton, who was having a great game. It was one-way traffic.

Henderson’s brilliant ball sent Forrest scampering down the right flank and his measured cross on the run was stabbed wide at the far post by Boerrigter.

Forrest still had time to embark on a mazy 50-yard run before a weak finish into the arms of Iscan but it was a tremendous way to end the half. Win, lose or draw after the break, Lennon had already seen in 45 minutes that these boys could be trusted.

Mancini had also seen enough. He replaced his entire team for the second half.The big guns, including Wesley Sneijder, came on.

It changed the dynamic. But it didn’t faze the kids. If anything, they strutted with their chests puffed out even further.

An official inspects the damage after the ball ht the trophy and breaks it (Photo: SNS)

Biton exemplified the confidence within their ranks when he audaciously attempted to lob sub keeper Fernando Muslera from his own half. Not only that, with expert technique, he almost did it.

Henderson also rifled a 35-yarder which was saved. Lennon kept piling them on to the pitch. And they kept responding. Defender Joe Chalmers, Swedish striker Bahrudin Atajic and 16-year-old Miller were thrust into it.

Fitness was being tested, so was temperament. Sneaky sub Emre Colak got away with slapping Boerrigter on the blind side of the referee but Lennon’s boys kept their cool and kept coming.

Balde could have won it in normal time when he fired over after being released by Forrest, but it went to spot-kicks

Henderson, Biton, Atajic and Balde, with a cheeky dink, did their bit. But it was skipper Forrest who was denied by Muslera, meaning only pride and not the prize of the sellotaped-up trophy for the boys.